George Stephenson's Birthplace

About the museum

George Stephenson was born in 1781 in a small stone house beside the Wylam Waggonway, on the north bank of the River Tyne. At that time the building, known as High Street House, was divided into tenements for four families, and Stephenson’s family lived in a single room.

Outside the house ran the wooden waggonway along which horses pulled loaded wagons of coal from Wylam Colliery to the river quay. George worked with his father at the colliery, moving coal and driving the horse gin, and soon became an engineman at a pit further down the Tyne. His later career led to the opening of the Liverpool to Manchester Railway in 1830, for which his locomotive Rocket won the pulling contest the year before.

The cottage is now owned by the National Trust and sits among meadows, grassland, woodland and riverside. The old waggonway passing the door is part of the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail and can be walked or cycled. The cottage itself is currently closed except for special events.

Highlights

• Birthplace cottage of the railway engineer George Stephenson
• Wylam Waggonway running past the house, now part of the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail
• Setting on the banks of the River Tyne with meadows and woodland
• Walk the Line guided walks linking Wylam and the cottage

Operated by

National Trust

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Free parking is mentioned by the war memorial in Wylam village.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The cottage is 8 miles west of Newcastle and 1½ miles south of the A69. It can be reached on foot through the country park, and National Cycle Network route 72 offers a level riverside ride.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

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